CALPASC Praises Tenacity Of Yolo County District Attorney In Pursuing High Profile Bad Actor

SACRAMENTO, Jan. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Professional Association of Specialty Contractors (CALPASC) applauds the Yolo County District Attorney for the relentless pursuit of Earl James Thompson and Valery Alena Thompson who have been charged with 27 counts for fraudulent actions in association with the University of California, Davis (UCD) Tercero project. While working on the project, framing contractors Thompson and Thompson allegedly falsified payroll reports to the California State Fund and payments to workers in reports to UCD resulting in more than $1,000,000 in wage theft and workers' compensation premium fraud.

In 2011, Thompson and Thompson were issued arrest warrants for felony criminal insurance fraud associated with the project. Valery Thompson was taken into custody by Jefferson County, Colorado authorities on May 19, and Earl James Thompson was taken into custody in Shasta County, California on May 21.

Thompson and Thompson are scheduled for arraignment on Monday, January 12, 2015 in Yolo County.

CALPASC Director of Risk Management Bruce Wick commented:

"This is one of the largest wage theft and premium fraud cases arising out of a single project in California.

"The reputation of these subcontractors has finally caught up with them big time.

"While we are frustrated by the length of time it has taken to prosecute this case, we thank the Yolo County District Attorney for doggedly pursuing justice for the workers who are underpaid and the legitimate contractors who have to compete with these serial violators. 

"CALPASC appreciates the work of state agencies and district attorneys in collaborating to apprehend contractors who thrive on cheating employees, employers and the state out of millions of dollars."

The California Professional Association of Specialty Contractors is a nonprofit 501(c)6 trade association advocating on behalf of trade contractors and suppliers of building materials in California. CALPASC is committed to educating members on complex issues and advancing safety and compliance within the building industry.

SOURCE California Professional Association of Specialty Contractors (CALPASC)